Fuel system



Aug. 12, 1952 Filed April 20, 1948 A. RAPF'L FUEL. SYSTEM 2 SHEETS-SHEET l TE I MMIH INVENTOR OPP QM A! IORNEYS Aug. 12, 1952 A. RAPPL 2,606,543

FUEL SYSTEM Filed Aprii 20, 1948 Z'SHEETS-SHEET 2 H 4. W Y

INVENTOR Ania/7 fia a o/ BY QM M 9 ATTORNEYS Patented Aug. 12, 1952 FUEL SYSTEM Anton Rappl, 'Eggertsville, N. Y., assignor to Trieo Products Corporation, Bufialo, N. Y.

Application April 20, 1948, Serial No. 22,143

12 Claims. (01. 123-136) This invention relates to an accessory system for a motor vehicle and especially to a system whichutilizes the suction influence of the intakeflmanifold as its source of operatingpressure. This source fluctuates according tothe position of the engine throttle, and many attempts have been made to supplement, or to ,wholly supplant the source, during intervals of operating deficiency, in an effort to maintain the operation of the system.

" The primary-object of this invention is to provide "a practical source of operating pressure which is normally disposed inoperative .but will quickly function upon demand during intervals whenvthe manifold source of fluctuating pressure is insufiicient for practical accessory operation. Again, the invention .resides in; a novel pressure generating unit which isesimple design, efficient in use, and automatic in operation Furthermore, the invention resides in a fuel system which will inSur'e'ample-fuel supply for starting the engine as well as for the continued reliable and efficient operation. After a motor vvehicle has stood idle for a prolonged period the rating, by way of example, a windshield cleaner and'a vacuumfuel tank; v

Fig. 2 is a Vertical sectional View through the vacuum fuel tank; 1

Fig. 3 is an irregular section taken about on line 3-3 of Fig.- 2 anddepicting the valve'action; 7 v r Fig. 4 isa transverse sectional view through the pump unit showing the bypass or shunt-passage and the automatic control feature; and

Figs. 5, 6, and '7 are sectional views taken-respectively about on lines 55, "B--6 and 1-1 of Fig. 4. Y Q

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the numeral I designates the intakemanifoldoi the motor vehicle power plant, 2 the carburetor thereof, and 3 the vacuum or gravity flowtank which latter is connected by a conduit 4 to the supply tankb and by a'conduit E to the usual floatchamber of the, carburetor, suitable check valves h and 8, respectively-being interposed 1 in means comprising herein the usual switch 25 which is also connected in circuit with the motor 23.

the connecting passages for directing the flow of fluid properly through the system. The suction influence of the intake manifold is transmitted through a passage 9 to a port 10 opening into the fuel chamber ll of the fuel tank 3. An atmospheric port l2 opens in opposition to the suction port Ill and is opened and closed in alternation therewith by an interposed valve l3. A snap action l4 effects a quick shift of the valve I3 as the float l5 rises and falls with corresponding changes in the level of the fuel in the chamber l l, thereby opening the chamber to the .suction influence of the manifold I when the fuel supply is at a predetermined minimum and closing the suction communication when replenishment of the fuel supply has been completed. For compactness, the gravity flow tank 3 may be an integral part of the carburetor, and the chamber H mayconstitute theusua'l float chamber of the carburetor. When the suction port [0 is closed the atmospheric pressure will act through the port [2 upon the liquid and enable the latter to gravitate through the passage B to the carburetor. If desired, a secondary accessory, such as the windshield cleaner l6, may be connected into the suction line by a branch passage 11. i v

' Interposed in the suction line, or placed in suitable communication with it, is a secondary source of negative pressure which is herein illustrated in the form of a rotary pump, the same having a rotor l8 eccentrically mounted within a chamber I9 of the pump housing and carrying impeller blades 20 for effecting air movement from the inlet passage 2| to and out through the outlet passage 22.

An electric motor 23 is provided to operate the pump,,the motor being arranged coaxially of the pump and connected to a source of energy, Such as the battery 24. 'In accordance-with this in vention means are provided to effectively operate the pump prior to starting the engine, such ignition Consequently, when the engine ignition system is closed by turning the switch key 25', the pump will become energized and start the flow of fuel by the time the starter control is actuated. Cooperating with'the ignition switch, and forming a part of the pump operatin means, is a pressure responsive switch having a fixed contact 26 and a movable contact 21, the latter being carried by a spring finger 28 on a pivoted arm 28. A pair ofposts=30 loosely but pivotally mount the arm 29, such posts depending from a cover plate 3| of suitable insulatingmaterial and serving to hold the; arm .plate'assembly 28,529 in spaced relationi there-,

mountable pump-motor unit. The outer end of the arm 29 is bifurcated to receive the reduced neck 36 of a plunger 31, which latter operates within a chamber 38' and is lifted by anunderlying coiled spring 39 to a position for'main-' taining the contacts 26, 21 in circuitv closing 1 relation. Means are provided to insure a quick make and break engagement between the contacts. To this end the bifurcated portions of the arm 29 are extended laterally to underlie and form an armature for a permanent magnet, such as the horseshoe magnet 40. This magnet will serve to hold the switch contacts together until the plunger 37 responds to a dominating pressure whereupon the arm 29 will quickly move. Likewise, when the plunger carries the arm sufficiently far into the magnetic field the armature forming arm will yield to close the contacts. The plunger chamber 38 communicates through a passage 4| with the inlet passage 2| of the pump, and, since this inlet passage is connected to theaccessory, it will be apparent that the pressure condition in the suction line between the pump and the accessory will determine the opening and closing of the switch contact points 26 and "21. Therefore, the system will serve to maintain a constant head or level of fuel in the vacuum pump ll whenever the valve [3 opens the suction line to the vacuum tank.

When first starting the vehicle the ignition switch 25 is closed. At this moment the electric motor will become energized and likewise the pump, providing the contact 2'! is engaged with contact 26, which will be the case when the negative pressure has dissipated from the accessory supply line. instantaneous and may be of brief duration sufiicient to evacuate the supply line and to depress the plunger for reopening the motor circuit. However, should the vacuum tank require replenishment and the valve [3 be opened, the fuel will flow from valve 1 into chamber H. An ample supply of fuel will therefore be assured for a quick start of the vehicle engine. All of this will transpire by the time that the usual starter button 45 is actuated. The spring 39 is calibrated and designed to maintain the switch 26, 2! closed when the pump is required for either accessory and a resultant air-stream is flowing through the pump passages.

When the manifold suction influence is sufficient, the air-flow from the accessory will bypass the arrested pump through a shunt passage 42 which joins the inlet and outlet passages 2| and 22. A check valve 43 is held seated by a spring 44 for normally closing the shunt passage when the pump is in operation.

The response of the motor will be structive arcing between the points. Furthermore, the reduced neck 36 is elongated to afford a limited play or lost motion in the connection between the plunger and the arm 29. This will permit a certain freedom of movement for the plunger independent of theswitclr arm 29. Likewise, it will enable a freedom of movement of the contact bearing arm 29 to its circuit closing position when it has been advanced by the plunger sufliciently far into the magnetic field.

While the foregoing description has been given in detail, it is not intended thereby to limit the invention since the inventive principles involved are capable of assuming other physical changes without departing from the spirit of the present invention and the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A fluidpressure generating unit comprising a rotary pump having a chamber with an inlet and an outlet, the latter being circumferentially spaced from the inlet, a shunt passage con necting the inlet and outlet in a manner to bypass the chamber, a check valve in the shunt passage confining fluid flow therethrough uni-direca tionally from the inlet to the outlet, an electric motor supporting the pump and connected thereto for operating the same, and pressure responsive switch means in circuit with the motor and responsive to the pressure in the shunt passage. I p

2. A fluid pressure generating unit comprising a rotary pump'h'aving a housing, an inlet and an outlet communicating with the pump chamber at circumferentially spaced points, a shunt passage connecting the inlet and outlet in a manner to bypass the chamber, a check valve in the shunt passage compelling fluid flow therethrough uni-directionally from the inlet to the outlet, a rotary electric motor arranged on the pump for operating the same and mountable therewith as a unit, a switch connected in circuit with the motor, and means in the pump housing responsive to the fluid pressure in the shunt passage for operating the switch, said means being connected to the switch by a play connection afiording limited independent movement of the fluid responsive means. 7

3. A pressure generator comprising a rotary pump having an inlet and an outlet communicating with the pump chamber at circumferentially spaced points, an electric motor for operating the pump, a chamber shunting passage connecting the inlet to the outlet and embodying a oneway check valve, a switch connected in circuit with the 'motor and having a magnet acting to attract the switch to its circuit closing position, and means responsive to the fluid pressure in the passage and connected to the switch for opening it against the magnetic force.

4. A pressure generating device for motor vehicle accessory systems, comprising a combined motor pump unit mountable and demountable as a unit, a switch connected in circuit with the motor and having a contact arm movable to a circuit closing position for controlling its operation, a shunt passage connecting the inlet to the outlet in a manner to bypass the pump chamber, a check valve arranged in the'shunt passage for directing fluid flow therethrough from the inlet to the outlet, a permanent magnet acting to hold the contact arm in a closed position, and means responsive to thefiuid pressure for controlling the switch, said responsive means being joined to the contact arm by a lost motion coupling to enable the arm responding to the magnetic force independently of the responsive means.

5. A pressure generating system comprising a pump, a motor for actuating the pump, a switch connected in circuit with the motor for controlling its operation and having a contact arm movable to a circuit closing position, a magnet acting on the arm as an armature for attracting the same to its circuit closing position, and means responsive to the pump pressure for controlling the switch and connected to the switch by play connection for enabling independent preliminary operation of said means in opening the switch and for enabling independent closing movement of the contact arm following a predetermined movement of the pressure responsive means therewith.

6. A pressure generating unit for motor vehicle accessory systems, comprising a pump having a housing, a motor for actuating the pump carried by the housing, a switch on the housing connected in circuit with the motor for controlling its operation, a shunt passage connecting the inlet to the outlet in a manner to bypass the pump chamber, a check valve arranged in the shunt passage for directing fluid flow therethrough from the inlet to the outlet, means responsive to the fluid pressure for controlling the switch, and means for securing a quick opening and closing of the switch by said pressure responsive means.

7. A fuel system for a motor vehicle, comprising a gravity flow tank communicating with a carburetor, a suction line from the engine manifold to the tank, a suction pump interposed in the suction line, a fuel supply line to the tank, float controlled means operable to close the communication from the pump to the tank, a motor for actuating the pump, a switch connected in circuit with the motor for controlling its operation, a shunt passage connecting the inlet to the outlet in a manner to bypass the pump chamber, a check valve arranged in the shunt passage for directing fluid flow therethrough from the inlet to the outlet, means responsive to the pressure in the suction line at the inlet side of the pump for controlling the switch, and a permanent magnet attractively holding the switch in one position while permitting actuation of the switch to its other position in the presence of a dominating suction urge imposed thereon by the pressure responsive means.

8. A fuel system for a motor vehicle, comprising a gravity flow tank communicating with a carburetor, a suction line from the engine manifold to the tank, a suction pump interposed in the suction line, a fuel supply line to the tank, float controlled means operable to close the communication from the pump to the tank, a motor for actuating the pump, a switch connected in circuit with the motor for controlling its operation, a shunt passage connecting the inlet to the outlet in a manner to bypass the pump chamber, a check valve arranged in the shunt passage for directing fluid flow therethrough from the inlet to the outlet, means responsive to the pressure in the pump inlet for controlling the switch, a play connection between the pressure responsive means and the switch enabling limited freedom of movement of one part, and a magnet holding the switch in its closed position while permitting a dominating suction urge from either the pressure responsive means or the manifold to move the switch from such position.

9. A fuel system for a motor vehicle, comprising a gravity flow tank communicating with a carburetor, a suction line from the engine manifold to the tank, a suction pump interposed in the suction line, a fuel supply line to the tank, float controlled means operable to close the communication from the pump to the tank, a motor for actuating the pump, a switch connected in circuit with the motor for controlling its operation, a shunt passage connecting the inlet to the outlet in a manner to bypass the pump chamber, a check valve arranged in the shunt passage for directing fluid flow therethrough from the inlet to the outlet, and means responsive to the pressure in the pump inlet for controlling the switch and including a magnet holding the switch in one position for release by and upon a dominating urge imposed upon the switch by said pressure responsive means, the latter being resiliently connected to the switch.

10. A fuel feeding system for a motor vehicle power plant having an intake manifold as a source of suction, a gravity flow fuel tank supplying fuel to a carburetor, and an ignition circuit with a switch therein; in combination, a suction pump having its inlet connected to the tank and its outlet connected to the intake manifold, a shunt passage connecting the inlet to the outlet and including a check valve for insuring fluid flow therethrough from the inlet to the outlet, an electric motor for actuating the pump, a normally closed switch in series with the ignition switch and acting jointly therewith to control the operation of the pump motor, and pressure responsive means affected by the pressure in the inlet and at the inlet side of the check valve for opening the normally closed switch.

11. A motor vehicle having a gravity flow tank with a float controlled venting means, a pressure line between the vehicle power plant and the tank normally closed by the float controlled venting means when the tank is full of fuel, an ignition circuit having a control switch, a pressure pump interposed in the line, an electric motor connected to drive the pump when the power plant line pressure is ineffective, a switch for the motor arranged in circuit with the control switch, and means controlling the second switch to energize the motor and pump when the control switch is closed in the presence of a deficient supply of fuel.

12. A motor vehicle power plant having a fuel system with a fuel line leading from a supply tank through a float controlled valve into a chamber at the point of fuel consumption, a suetion line connected to the chamber for lifting fuel from the tank to the chamber, a starter system having an ignition switch and a starter switch, a suction pump unit connected into the suction line, and an electric motor for driving the pump, said motor being connected in circuit with the ignition switch independently of the starter switch for being energized by the closing of the former to start the pump prior to operation of the starter switch.

ANTON RAPPL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED. STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,834,977 Schweisthal Dec. 8, 1931 2,239,146 Dilman Apr. 22, 1941 2,293,542 Hamilton Aug. 18, 1942 2,403,688 Smith July 9, 1946 

